Five people arrested after large brawl in downtown Hilo

Two adults and three juveniles were arrested following the report of a large brawl in downtown Hilo.

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s central dispatch received multiple calls just before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday reporting an altercation in the area of the 100 block of Kino‘ole Street in which it was reported that people were yelling, throwing rocks and brandishing weapons, including a knife and possibly a rifle.

Upon responding to the scene, police discovered more than 20 people in the parking lot of a residential building. As some officers conducted crowd control, others began investigating the scene.

A 13-year-old male was observed holding a knife. In the course of their investigation, police determined that the 13-year-old had been yelling at others in a threatening manner, causing alarm. The teen was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct.

As they continued their investigation, police further determined that a 35-year-old Hilo man was involved in a fight with two juvenile males, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, who punched, kicked and threw a rock at the man, causing him to receive minor injuries. The two teens were arrested for assault.

During the incident, 22-year-old Jason Isope of Hilo picked up a large rock in the presence of officers and approached a group of bystanders in a threatening manner. He was subsequently arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

While interviewing witnesses, officers learned an adult male was seen brandishing and pointing what appeared to be a rifle at people and was then seen retreating into the residential building. After conducting a search of the area, officers located 27-year-old Jimbo Encher of Hilo, who was identified as the man with the rifle. They also recovered two rifle-shaped pellet guns.

Encher was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.

The three male teens who were arrested as a result of this incident were released to their parents pending further investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at 808-935-3311 or via email at Joshua.rodby-tomas@hawaiicounty.gov.